President William Ruto of Kenya conversed with King Charles III regarding pressing regional security matters and Kenya’s pivotal role in fostering stability.
The conversation, revealed by Ruto on Monday, underscored the enduring ties between Kenya and the United Kingdom, along with a shared commitment to climate conservation efforts.
As tensions escalate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), where recent rebel attacks have resulted in mass displacements, the importance of regional cooperation becomes evident.
Ruto announced a joint peace summit scheduled for this weekend in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, aimed at addressing the ongoing conflict in the DRC. Leaders from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC) will come together to explore solutions to the crisis.
“Peace and security are critical ingredients for trade and investment in our region. Through our collective effort, we will ensure security reigns on our continent,” Ruto stated, expressing optimism for the summit’s outcomes. Participating leaders include Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu, DRC’s Felix Tshisekedi, and Rwanda’s Paul Kagame, among others.
The DRC has faced an ongoing humanitarian crisis exacerbated by the activities of Tutsi-led M23 rebels, who claim government attempts to displace them from their ancestral land. Since 1996, conflict in the region has resulted in approximately six million deaths, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive regional strategies to restore peace.
Kenya’s proactive approach to mediation in the DRC reinforces its status as a regional leader in peacekeeping and climate change initiatives, emphasizing the interconnectedness of security and sustainable development in the region.
The upcoming summit aims to foster collaboration among African nations to address the complexities of the DRC’s prolonged turmoil.
